Comparing Women Characters from Steinbeck and O'Connor
Comparing Women Characters from Steinbeck and O'Connor
Women have been degraded for many years, starting back in the Middle Ages in Europe. Through all these times, women have also tried to break free from this “prison” starting from the suffrages in our own country. Abigail Adams was one of the many who portrayed the suffrage characteristics. But what of the women who stayed as a “house wife” or liked their so-called “prison”. What of the women who thought there was no escaping from their “women serves man” world. In the story “ The Chrysanthemums ” by John Steinbeck and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor, the similarities and the differences between the leading women show a glimpse of the past, as well as a life lesson.
Both characters had many similarities. Elisa and the Grandmother both were viewed as fragile women who did not associate with manly things as boxing or traveling. Elisa tried at least two times to reach the outside of her world by pointing out her intelligence or her gifts. For example, she told her husband how she can grow anything with her hands and how she read on opponents look in the boxing ring. But each time she’s given a chance, she automatically thinks of her image and status in that time period, almost “conditioned” to react disgusted or not interested in things like boxing. She replies primly when he husband makes a joke, “Oh no, No, I wouldn’t like fights.” (Steinbeck, 79) as if it’s the right thing to say. The Grandmother was also shown as a weak woman and should not be able to ride in the front seat, for she is old. She shows this characteristic in the beginning of the story, telling her son that they should not go to Florida because there is a criminal loose around there and her, and the children should not be anywhere near Florida. She also automatically sits in the back of the car before anyone else gets in, knowing that she cannot sit in the front for she is too old and more fragile compared to the wife of her son. Both characters know their status in their worlds and it shows in each story.
Another similarity that was important in both stories was their...